PRINTING METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

A method and apparatus for printing an image on a three-dimensional object (50) is provided, in which the image to be printed is first applied in an on-line process to a water-soluble PVA film (83) mounted in a frame (84). The image is applied to the film by an ink-jet printer. At a printing station (80), comprising a tank (81) of water (82), the film (83) is floated ink uppermost on the surface of the water such that the film begins to dissolve. The object is then lowered into the tank (81), through the ink layer (85) and the dissolving PVA film (83). The water pressure forces the ink into contact with the surfaces of the object (50), thereby applying the image to the object. The image can be specifically configured in relation to the object to be printed and might, for example, contain relief- or contour-related features, names, trade marks or logos, which will require accurate positioning on the object. The image may be dependent on at least some of the contours of the object, and may be adjusted to compensate for image stretch or distortion which would otherwise occur. The apparatus may also be provided with a cleaning station, a drying station, a lacquering station and a curing station.